The Tibbs - Keep It To Yourself

Record Kicks presents Keep It To Yourself, the new album by premier Dutch soul band The Tibbs, out next January 26th.

Dutch vintage soul combo The Tibbs are back with their highly anticipated new album Keep It to Yourself, to be released on LP, CD and digital format next January 26th on Milan-based label Record Kicks. Produced by Paul Willemsen (Michelle David) and mastered in Nashville by soul veteran Bob Olhsson, who used to cut vinyl for Motown back in the day, the new album Keep It to Yourself is the band's third Long Play. It contains 12 fresh 'n vibrant tracks that once again will take you back to the golden days of soul music. Prepare to be swept away on a groovy, soulful odyssey with one the most sensational and enchanting soul bands from the Netherlands!

From the very first note, The Tibbs' musical prowess exudes a soulful, funky energy that is nothing short of mind-blowing. Among the 12 new tracks of Keep it To Yourself, we find the first single "Ain't It Funny", a high-energy stomper that sets the tone for the entire album, the New Orleans funk inspired "Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks" and "Chicken Bones, "In Orbit", an emotional and heartfelt love ballad that allows the velvety vocals of singer Roxanne to take center stage or the northern soul belter "Give Me A Reason".

Lyrically, Keep It to Yourself is a poetic wonderland, delving into the depths of love, heartache, but also social issues and the need to preserve the world we're in. Roxanne's vocals, rich and velvety, take you on a euphoric journey through the peaks and valleys of human emotion. The harmonious blend of the horn section weaves an exhilarating tapestry of sound that can only be described as a symphonic supernova. The rhythm section is an unstoppable force, driving each track with a pulsating groove that is pure sonic adrenaline. Keep It to Yourself is a true tour de force, a symphony of soul that will leave you awe-inspired, foot-tapping, heart-soaring, and utterly enthralled.

Based around Amsterdam, The Tibbs is a group of seasoned musicians who draw inspiration from the timeless music of the 1960s, channeling the emotional depth and raw authenticity of that era's classics. Led by their charismatic female vocalist and backed by a powerhouse lineup of drums, guitar, bass, organ and a three-piece horn section, they have been wowing audiences with their live performances. They took off in 2012 working right from the start with producer Paul Willemsen (Beans & Fatback, Lefties Soul Connection, Michelle David & The Gospel Sessions). In 2016, their first LP Takin' Over marked their debut with Milan-based imprint Record Kicks. In late 2018, singer Elsa Bekman decided to focus on a solo career and The Tibbs duly began their search for a truly worthy successor, bringing astonishing vocalist Roxanne Hartog and the band together for the first time with their sophomore album Another Shot Fired, released in November 2020. Now, with their third album Keep It to Yourself, a testament to their dedication to keeping the soulful spirit alive, The Tibbs are once more ready for lift off. 

Tracklist:
1. Ain't It Funny
2. Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
3. For Lack of Better Words
4. Give Me a Reason
5. Keep It to Yourself
6. Chicken Bones
7. Guess I'm Guilty
8. Rafaela
9. Last Train
10. Pyjama Party
11. Rosie
12. In Orb

VA - Tramp 45 RPM Single Collection, Vol. 17

Another volume in the '45rpm single collection' series. 20 tracks representing a wide selection of rare grooves, covering genres like vocal jazz, mod-jazz, exotica, psych, AOR, and deep funk.

Tracklist:
1. Reno And The Chosen 3 - Soul Bagg
2. Reno And The Chosen 3 - You Are My Sunshine
3. Bill Cole - Teach Me How to Bump
4. Bill Cole - Bring It on Back to Me
5. Vince Mance Trio - Big Boy
6. Vince Mance Trio - Cast Your Fate to the Wind
7. Gus Brendel - Sax on the Rocks
8. Gus Brendel - Arabian Night
9. Seeds of Fulfillment - Solemn Solitude
10. Seeds of Fulfillment - Deja Vu (feat. Jeanette Williams)
11. Synod - Anchors Away
12. Synod - Sheryl Song Is Gonna Do My Dancing
13. AOH - The Answer Lies in Love
14. AOH - Third Eye
15. Matter of Taste - Step by Step
16. Matter of Taste - Haselief
17. The Oscillators - Cosmonaut
18. The Oscillators - Off the Clock
19. The Funk Revolution - Space Dream (Version) [feat. Lucky Brown]
20. The Funk Revolution - Scatterbrain (Rehearsal) [feat. Lucky Brown]

DāM-FunK - Out the Way

Tracklist:
1. Cryin' While Winnin'
2. Escape
3. Pinky Promise
4. Wipe Your Tears

The Yussef Dayes Experience - Live From Malibu

Multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer Yussef Dayes releases The Yussef Dayes Experience (Live from Malibu), featuring music from his critically acclaimed debut solo album, Black Classical Music, and more, on vinyl and digitally on January 26 via Brownswood Recordings, Warner Music, and Cashmere Thoughts Recordings and in the US on Nonesuch Records. Dayes is joined by his longtime collaborators Rocco Palladino, Venna, Elijah Fox, and Alexander Bourt on the new release, which was originally shared as a live-performance video filmed in the Malibu mountains last year and is available on YouTube.

Tracklist:
1. Istanbul (feat. Elijah Fox)
2. Tioga Pass (feat. Rocco Palladino) [Live From Malibu]
3. Tidal Wave (Live From Malibu)
4. Portrait of Tracy
5. Black Classical Music / Afro Cubanism (Live From Malibu)
6. Unwound
7. Mountain Steppa
8. The Colour Purple (Live From Malibu)

Konkolo Orchestra - Future Pasts

Konkolo Orchestra is a Zürich/Switzerland based project initiated by multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer Alexis Malefakis. With strong jazzy afrobeat and highlife references, Konkolo Orchestra pays homage to musical innovators such as Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Tony Oladipo Allen, Ebo Taylor and many more.

This first album continues the warm, vibrant, percussive motif of the hugely popular "Blue G." single of 2022. For those who like their music to inspire journey and movement, this album is the equivalent of gatecrashing a wedding party where even granny can get her groove on.

Malefakis is hardly rewriting the afrobeat textbook here, but his production charms the listener with a confident mastery of the genre. His compositions have a distinct personality and a tight structure, and are peppered with a talented array of guest vocalists: Nongoma (South Africa), Sir Frank Karikari (Ghana) and Kitio Batola (Congo); alongside Eric Owusu (Ghana) on percussion. The uplifting lyrics and joyful melodies are held together by a powerhouse horn section bearing all the swinging hallmarks of a highlife fanfare.

Hard to define the standout tracks when the entire oeuvre gels together so well as a festive fusion. Deeply funky and syncopated, Malefakis has produced a motivational winter warmer for both feet and spirit.

Tracklist:
1. Blue G.
2. Future Pasts
3. Yese Yese
4. That Good Thing
5. Count Your Blessings
6. Cover up the Bruises
7. Le Secret
8. How We Got Here

Dancefloor Classics - Dancefloor Classics Vol. 1 - 5

Sasu Ripatti's complete "Dancefloor Classics" series. Music for imaginary dancefloors, released on Ripatti's own label "Rajaton".

”Look up, into the light” she said, while the camera shutter clicked. ”Like this? Does it look holy?” His neck felt stiff. Her reply: ”Yes, just like that. What do you mean holy? Like religious? ”No, more like trying to look very far, somewhere beyond what we can see.” ”Okay, stand still, I’m going to come close to you now. The light hits your face great.” *click, click, click.

He noticed her fingernails. They were not polished. Natural. Even somewhat rugged, as if something wore out the fingers slightly. What had these hands held besides the camera? What made the edges of her fingernails drift off?

He thought it’s weird to look straight into the camera. The photographer had closed her left eye, the one not looking into the lens. Then it opened, she looked up, perusing the surroundings, then she closed her eye again, then looked up, closed, looking up, very quickly. It all seemed very professional. Maybe she calculated the light, making sure it’s close to perfect. ”What will these photos look like?” – the thought popped into his head briefly. It was liberating to think it wouldn’t matter.

”What’s that song playing?” he asked. ”Wait a sec, Ol’ Dirty Bastard?” she replied. ”Oh yeah, right. But the sample?” ”Hey, could you look up again, like that. No, lower.”

New directions: ”Look out from the window, turn left.” ”My left or yours?” ”Yours, I always try to think from the direction of my model.” How professional! This is a good shoot, so natural. Should I worry about how the photos look like? No, I don’t want to. His thoughts bounced around. What would the story be like? It’s a big newspaper, everyone will read it. Maybe someone drinks coffee and eats a stroopwafel while they do it. Will they place the waffle on top of the mug for a brief while, so that it gets hot and the syrup melts a little? Then it feels wet, and you can bend the cookie.

She broke his train of thought off midway through: ”Now turn right, but look left, and slightly up, but don’t turn your face right.” ”Umm, like this? Sounds like a set of pilates instructions.” [she laughed] ”You do pilates?” ”Yeah, it’s hard sometimes. Have you tried?” ”No”, she said. ”I’m not good for sports that are done in groups.” ”Yeah, but in pilates you can just be inside your mind, drowning in your private thoughts.”

”What are you thinking in pilates?” she asked, taking more photos. ”Well, mostly just which way is right. And which left.” *click, click

Tracklist:
1. Please Come Out (EP1)
2. Wicked (EP1)
3. Working With (EP1)
4. In My Head (EP1)
5. Got Your Money (EP2)
6. Didn’t You Know (EP2)
7. Two-Door (EP2)
8. Memory Lane (EP2)
9. Good Girls And Boys (EP3)
10. All I Want From You (EP3)
11. Don’t Sell Rock (EP3)
12. What Yours (EP3)
13. Tweets (EP4)
14. You Check (EP4)
15. Hero Forever (EP4)
16. Don’t Pick Up (EP4)
17. You Don’t Know Me Anymore (EP5)
18. Tenderly With You (EP5)
19. Now Let’s Wait (EP5)

The Future Sound of London - Papua Boot 12

Tracklist:
1. A1 - L Major Remix
2. A2 - NISHESQUE Remix
3. B1 - Soul Central Remix
4. B2 - Dee Montero Remix

The Ballistic Brothers - The Ballistic Brothers Vs. The Eccentric Afros - Volume 1

The Ballistic Brothers - cult ‘90s group catalogue now available on Acid Jazz.

Following the sell-out release of underground classic ‘Blacker’ on a 7” last year, we’re thrilled to announce further releases from cult ‘90s club outfit the Ballistic Brothers. Comprising of Darren Rock, Darren House and Ashley Beadle (of X-Press 2), alongside David Hill and Uschi Classen, they combined their talents on a series of mysterious vinyl releases in the heady days of the London club scene. If you were part of a clubbing tribe in the early/mid ‘90s - any clubbing tribe - you will have danced to the Ballistic Brothers.

To start things off, we are issuing several titles digitally, both streaming and as a high-quality digital download via Bandcamp. These include The Ballistic Brothers vs. The Eccentric Afros (Volumes 1 & 2), London Hooligan Soul, and the EPs Ballistic Radio and Tuning Up!

Look out for further issues from the Ballistics Vault!

Tracklist:
1. Nyx 2
2. Gangstalene
3. Uschi's Groove
4. And It Goes Like This
5. MCF 2870
6. Blacker
7. Valley Of The Afro Temple
8. Grovers

Patrick Carpenter - Electric Envelope

A collection of Logic projects from the last 15 or so years, meticulously crafted and lovingly curated, some with a specific context in mind, others sprung from a time and place impetus. All deeply embedded in the armchair with a nod and a wink to the dancefloor.

Tracklist:
1. 27 Degrees of Saggitarius
2. Diop (Sihir instrumental)
3. The Revenant (Blushing Panda remix)
4. Arrival
5. Whatever Can Happen
6. Santosha
7. Lucky 7
8. What Monet Heard

Kamaal Williams - Everything in its Right Place

Tracklist:
1. Everything in its Right Place (Studer Tape Master)
2. Al Haq ft. Don Rattray
3. Everything in its Right Place (Digital Master)
4. Don't tell the Judge (Kamaal & Peezy & Malcolm Catto)
5. Funk Under The Rug (Kamaal & Peezy & Malcolm Catto)

Various Artists - The Soul of New Jersey, Vol. 1

Continued Sound arrives on the scene with their debut release "The Soul of New Jersey Vol. 1", a split compilation of music written, composed and produced by New Jersey Soul pioneers George Kerr and Paul Kyser. 

If Soul Music in New Jersey were a chapter in a history book, on page 1 you’ll find the names George Kerr and Paul Kyser. Their soul music oeuvre found them blessing both sides of the control room from the 1960’s through the 90’s. Their history of soul music excellence is enough to certify them with legend status, shaping the sound of acts like Soul Generation, Rhyze, Florence Ballard, The Escorts, Linda Jones, The Moments, The O'Jays, and The Whatnauts to name a few.  

Only George and Paul’s music will not be confined to the history books. They remain influential to this day, helping to define popular hip-hop as we know it. Artists such as Snoop Dogg, RZA, Tribe Called Quest, Madlib, Chance The Rapper, Childish Gambino, and Jack Harlow owe some of their biggest hits to a sound crafted by Kerr and Kyser. In 2022 they even came together as a production team for The Jack Moves’ sophomore album Cruiserweight. 

The Soul of New Jersey series strives to cement New Jersey’s unique quality of soul music into the global consciousness. It’s been there since the beginning and it’s not going away any time soon.

Tracklist:
1. Soul Generation - That's the Way It's Got to Be (Body and Soul)
2. Pride of the Ghetto - Come on Get Dancing
3. Storm - She Comes Up
4. The Nu-Sound Express LTD. - One More Time Y'all
5. Paul Kyser - I Need Your Love (feat. The Dynamic Beltones)
6. The Escorts - By The Time I Get To Phoenix
7. Norma Jenkins - Puzzle Man
8. Barbara Jean English - Breakin' Up a Happy Home
9. The Whatnauts - Soul Walking
10. The Escorts - Look Over Your Shoulder

TamTam - Ramble In The Rainbow

A four-piece band based in Tokyo.

Initially playing reggae/dub music, the band gradually developed into an innovative fusion of diverse musical influences, such as jazz, soul, psyche pop, new age, and exotica.

The sound is based on groove and euphoria, with nostalgic melodies.

They have performed at iconic events in Japan such as Fuji Rock Festival, and also have been looking overseas since they performed in Canada (Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver) in 2019.

The new EP "Ramble In The Rainbow" (2024) is their first international release on the US label Peoples Potential Unlimited.

The work shows their musical maturity, drawing inspiration from Sun Ra, Lee "Scratch" Perry, and Yasuaki Shimizu.

Tracklist:
1. Doors
2. Go Down The Mountain
3. Ramble In The Rainbow
4. Nue
5. Distant Look

Pearl & The Oysters - Coast 2 Coast Remixes

Pearl & The Oysters‘ Stones Throw debut Coast 2 Coast released back in April and now Juju and Jojo are calling upon some of their favorite musicians and collaborators to remix tracks from the record for their upcoming Coast 2 Coast Remixes EP, out now.

For the first song, the duo reached out to Los Angeles artist Vicky Farewell for a bubble pop version of “Fireflies”. Where Coast 2 Coast sees the morning sun rise over swamps of Florida and sandy L.A. beaches, Coast 2 Coast Remixes captures the duo at night, sipping colorful cocktails while watching rockets land on the moon.

Next up: Salami Rose Joe Louis’ remix of “Loading Screen”, a track about “screen addiction and over-stimulation in the www age.” Using her studies in planetary sciences as inspiration, Louis explores ideas of multiverses and climate change in her music. She shares this concern with Pearl & The Oysters, who express anxiety about the state of the planet throughout Coast 2 Coast.

Friend and labelmate Jerry Paper shared their remix of “Konami”, a song which was originally inspired by Juliette’s white noise machine used to overcome restless nights. Pearl & The Oysters have been friends with Jerry Paper since they moved to L.A., and supported them on tour in the US which is where Paper first heard the song.

Tracklist:
1. Fireflies (Vicky Farewell Remix)
2. Moon Canyon Park (The High Llamas Remix)
3. Konami (Jerry Paper Remix)
4. Pacific Ave (Brijean Remix)
5. Loading Screen (Salami Rose Joe Louis Remix)
6. Paraiso (Maylee Todd Remix)
7. Joyful Science (Peanut Butter Wolf Remi)

Kamaal Williams - Stings (Deluxe)

The South London artist helped flip UK jazz on its head, with Yussef Kamaal”s ‘Black Focus’ proving to be a seminal moment in club culture and free music more generally. Since then, Kamaal Williams has released a string of records under his own name, alongside his club-focussed moniker Henry Wu.

New album ‘Stings’ was conceptualised during the pandemic, with the musicality rooted in long solo sessions at an upright piano. Sessions took place in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago, with arrangements from Miguel Atwood-Ferguson.

Stings is the latest album from the one and only Kamaal Williams, marking another groundbreaking chapter in his genre-blurring musical journey. Widely recognized for his pivotal role in reshaping the landscape of UK jazz with the game-changing Yussef Kamaal’s Black Focus (2016) with Yussef Dayes, which started a journey in the artist’s output then developed in two amazing projects: The Return (2018) and Wu Hen (2020). Kamaal Williams has continued to push boundaries under his own name and his club-oriented alias, Henry Wu - marking a generation of electronic jazz aficionados.

Comprised by 13 tracks, Stings was born during the tumultuous period of the pandemic, with Kamaal Williams crafting its musicality through extensive solo sessions at an upright piano. These creative voyages unfolded across iconic American cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago, enriched by the masterful arrangements of Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. Released via his own Black Focus Records, the record expands with its sublime musicianship - from the strings in “The Last Symphony” or “City Of God”, passing by the undeniable coolness and groove of “Stings”, “Dogtown” and “Repercussions”, ending with the enchanting melodies of “Taiwan”, “Ronan” and “Magnolia”. The album's lead single, “PKKNO,” is another highlight, as a powerful testament to Kamaal’s unceasing journey into uncharted musical realms, promising yet another captivating evolution in his ever-evolving and ground-breaking discography.

Tracklist:
1. The Last Symphony
2. The Guvna (ft. Sharay Reed & Brian Hargrove)
3. Stings
4. Little River
5. Dogtown
6. Repercussions
7. City Of God
8. Taiwan (ft. Stephanie Yu)
9. Ronan
10. Magnolia
11. The Last Symphony / Magnolia
12. Magnolia II (ft. Theo Croker)
13. PKKNO
14. Al Haq (ft. Sir Don Rattray)
15. Crumar

Greg Foat & Ayo Salawu - Interstellar Fantasy

A concept album of Analogue Electronic Sci Fi Library Grooves for Synthesisers and Percussion. Commissioned by Sonoton and inspired by the 70's & 80's Sonoton music Library Catalogue. Featuring Ayo Salawu on Drums (Kokoroko) and Greg Foat with his impressive collection of vintage Synthesisers. File under Library Music.

Tracklist:
1. Interstellar Fantasy
2. Journey to Arcturus
3. Solar Pirates
4. Mines of Andromeda
5. Stasis Loop
6. The Lonely Robot
7. Cruising Home

R.I.P. Marlena Shaw (22/9/1942 - 19/1/2024)

Mario Luciano & Lauren Santi - MILS008: Shades Of Mauve

Entry #8: Composer, producer & arranger Mario Luciano and vocalist Lauren Santi of Polyphonic Music Library delve into Psychedlic Jazz, Experimental Soul & Cosmic Fusion.

Tracklist:
1. Aquarius Rising
2. Inner Search
3. When It’s Real
4. Psych Impression
5. Peace of Time
6. Blue Miles
7. Lauren’s Astral Vision
8. Expressions From “The Ear”
9. The Yellow Field
10. Donte’s French Excursion
11. Solar Journey
12. Transitions
13. Shades of Mauve
14. Cosmic Portals
15. A Piece for Reflection

Surya Botofasina, Nate Mercereau, Carlos Niño - Subtle Movements

This Trio is very Californian, even though Surya is based on the East Coast . . .We swim together in the Pacific Ocean, Vibing, bonding, talking, listening, riding the Waves . . .as often as we can.
- Carlos Niño

Together these three adventurously creative Musical Artists have played in Portland, Oregon, Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York, London, England, Amsterdam and Zaandam, NL, Köln, Germany, San Diego and Ojai, California, and many times throughout Los Angeles County, since February 2022. They first came together in July 2021 at the Glendale, California Home Recording Studio of Jesse Peterson and Mia Doi Todd.

Nate was invited by Carlos to meet Surya and to possibly play. No specific plans were set other than to explore with Surya. (Multi-Reedsman Randal Fisher was also there.) That Session turned out to be Day 1 of what became Surya's debut album Everyone's Children released by Spiritmuse Records on November 4, 2022. Suyra and Nate were both featured extensively on the Carlos Niño & Friends album (I'm just) Chillin', on Fire released by International Anthem on September 15, 2023, though not together on any of the same pieces.

The first in-depth representation of the Trio was in collaboration with André 3000 on his album New Blue Sun released by Epic Records on November 17, 2023, where they are featured as co-writers and co-creators of 5 of the 8 album pieces. Niño also Produced that album in collaboration with André. Nate enthusiastically took it upon himself to be the Trio's Archivist and would get to Mixing and playlisting the group's recordings as soon as he received them from Live and Studio recordists. He took the lead on Producing and Mixing this album, Subtle Movements.

His unique perspectives, thoughts, feelings and intense heart energy went into telling the story of how these pieces, recorded in different settings, with a wide range of gear, by an array of characters, all flow together. "It is a blessed opportunity and Cosmic Gift to be at the keyboards with Nate and Carlos," Surya gleams. "In appearance, I play a few keyboards at a time: a MIDI controller that I use in tandem with music studio software, my absolute FAVORITE analog sensibility synth Roland SH-201 (although it is digital), and typically another 88key board (the Roland SV-1).

If there is a piano available, I will also use that with us for a total of 4 keyboards at my station, (that my cousin Georgia Anne Muldrow has forever deemed “Praise Console no.3”), Surya enthuses. "My instruments and sound are the last thing I consider about this Trio. For me, it is about us as human beings first; as members of our respective families and soul tribes before anything else. I think whatever sound that comes forth is a result of that inner connected soul conversation. That, at least in my view, is the Sound."

"I play guitar, guitar synthesizer, and midi-guitar sampler," writes Nate Mercereau of his Instruments on Subtle Movements. "In addition to my main GR300 guitar synthesizer sound, I am sampling the band live as we perform and using the sound . . .It takes many different shapes, but I am often playing something like the sound of Carlos's percussion from 30 seconds earlier in a new key and tempo, or as a chord — or a quick slice of a pad from Surya’s keyboard pitched down into sub frequencies, anything can happen," Nate details.

"I live-sample and expand, magnify, permutate, repeat, live-remix, live-edit, and reframe moments of our sound within our sound while it's happening. Worlds Within Worlds and Worlds Upon Worlds, Currents Within Currents. I also use previously recorded and created samples from my library in this context, allowing my guitar to be anything." Nate also offers: "I consider what I do in this trio to be a part of and extension of the greater sound of this group, which is often oceanic (which represents everything to me), waves, it's full communication. Love and support in sonic form. Going beyond together in all ways."

Carlos Niño plays everything that you hear in the Aerophone, Drum, Percussion and Plant realms . . .
He was the group's "Connector" and its first advocate. Depending on who received and accepted the opportunity to present the Trio their names have appeared in different orders. Hear, on Subtle Movements the order is Alphabetical by last name:
Botofasina, Mercereau, Niño 

Tracklist:
1. Inner-connectednesses . . .
2. So Much Love (Live)
3. Subtle Movements
4. We are Moving now
5. Exploration (Sincerely)
6. A Band That Swims Together
7. Hearing (with Keshava at Zuma)

Tara Clerkin Trio - On The Turning Ground

Not far off two years from the day, Bristol's Tara Clerkin Trio return to World of Echo and the EP format for a five song collection of quixotic, emotional redolence. But do not mistake their absence for inertia. If their musical output has been a little sparse during those in-between years, limited to a few solo ventures and an astonishing ten minute long piece as a trio, their time has otherwise been richly spent: continuous writing and recording, extensive live performances across Europe and Japan, a cultivation of local and more far-flung artistic connections (musical and otherwise), and a monthly NTS show that, through the voice of others, speaks most obviously to their own unorthodox interests. It's the conflux of that winding activity that leads indirectly to On The Turning Ground, 26 minutes of probing, thoughtful composition that draws from no one specific source.

Their inspirations might be centreless, but the trio still possess a very obvious anchor in the form of their hometown. Bristol stands as a city of multitudes, heterogenous and vibrant in such a way as to allow it to renew and remake time and again. Tara Clerkin Trio drink from that same well, duly reflecting a rich musical heritage built on fwd-facing electronic subcultures and experimental urges. As such, On The Turning Ground finds them subject to their own subtle internal evolution, the pervasive sense that you've caught them mid-bloom, on their way to becoming but never anything but themselves.

The two instrumental pieces that bookend the EP stand as a perfect case in point, displaying an increasing mastery of compositional space. Pensive and restrained, 'Brigstow' and 'Once Around' both emanate an interstitial quality that's not so much after- as in-between-hours, miniature dub-folk symphonies held together by the kind of tacit understanding that remains the preserve of only the closest of family units. If those two tracks are shaped by a sense of shifting temporality, then the three vocal-led pieces that comprise the record's core feel like a gentle ossifying of aesthetic into something approaching their own unique form of avant-pop. 'Pop' is, of course, a broadly subjective concept, but there's no avoiding the overt sparkling melodicism of songs like 'Marble Walls' and 'The Turning Ground', undeniable re-directions of that late 90s impulse to bend pop sensibilities into off-centre terrain, to render the familiar new again. This is what Tara Clerkin Trio do, gently pulling the ground from under your feet, turning you to face something you'd not quite seen before. To view the world as they do: sideways, sometimes, all of the time. 

Tracklist:
1. Brigstow
2. World in Delay
3. Marble Walls
4. The Turning Ground
5. Once Around

Webley Edwards - Hawaii Calls Exotics Essentials

Both as the longtime host of the weekly radio series Hawaii Calls and through his many albums, broadcasting pioneer Webley Edwards played a pivotal role in exporting the music of the islands to the continental U.S. Born November 11, 1902, in Corvallis, OR, he later attended Oregon State University, becoming the first student manager of campus radio station KOAC; relocating to Hawaii in 1928 to work as an auto salesman, Edwards was so fascinated by the native musical traditions that in 1935 he sealed a deal to produce a radio show spotlighting authentic island performances. Broadcast from Waikiki's Moana Hotel, Hawaii Calls made its debut that July 3; though carried on over 400 stateside stations, the show struggled financially during its early years, often relying on state funding from the Hawaii Tourist Bureau to stay afloat. The first radio announcer to broadcast news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Edwards also worked as a reporter for CBS Radio during the war years, where he landed exclusives including an interview with Colonel Paul Tibbetts, the pilot who dropped the first atomic bomb over Hiroshima; he was also the lone broadcaster allowed on board the USS Missouri to report on the surrender ceremony that brought the conflict to its close. Throughout the 1950s, Edwards compiled and produced a series of Hawaiian music collections for Capitol Records; though issued under his name, the albums (among them Fire Goddess, Hula Island Favorites, and Exotic Instrumentals) actually featured performances by the likes of Alfred Apaka, George Kainapau, Haleloke, and Simeon and Andy Bright. In all, Hawaii Calls ran for 37 years, along the way popularizing tunes including "Sweet Leilani," "Lovely Hula Hands," "Beyond the Reef," "Little Brown Gal," and "The Hawaiian Wedding Song." The series ended in 1972 after Edwards (who also served as a member of the state legislature) suffered a heart attack; he died in Honolulu on October 5, 1977.

Trcklist:
1. Some Enchanted Evening (from "South Pacific")
2. Bamboo Shadows (Japanese)
3. Whispering Reef (Hawaiian)
4. Alika (Hawaiian)
5. Narcissus Queen (Chinese)
6. Forbidden Waters (Polynesian)
7. Geisha (Japanese)
8. Dahil Sayo (Filipino)
9. Beyond the Rainbow (Hawaiian)
10. Tangi Tahiti (Tahitian)
11. Maui Girls (Hawaiian)
12. The Hands I Love (Oriental Hawaiian)

Anni Kiviniemi Trio - Eir

US based Finnish pianist Anni Kiviniemi debuts her trio featuring bassist Eero Tikkanen and drummer Hans Hulbaekmo (from Gard Nilssen's Supersonic Orchestra and Moskus). The new album "Eir", out on We Jazz Records 12 Jan 2024, is an introspective, moody, yet swinging trio set comprising of 8 Kiviniemi originals. Modeled for a classic jazz piano trio, Kiviniemi's music reaches far beyond, bringing together influences from classical music, Norwegian musical tradition and North African music.

Of her compositional process, Kiviniemi says:

"I always gravitate towards the unknown in music and, I suppose, in life. If I hear an unusual melody or a bizarre chord that I don’t immediately recognise, I need to jump on the piano and figure out what it is. Then I play around with it a bit, making sure I understand it and that I’m able to use it in a different context in the future. I always set strict limitations on myself as a composer, but give my fellow musicians the complete freedom to interpret my music in their own way. If they want to change something, they’re free to do so. I love being surprised as a bandleader. It teaches me a lot, which is always fun. I’d say the album is 95% improvised but when we play live, we edge towards 99%."

Named after Kiviniemi's daughter, who was born after the recording of the album, but before its release. This also highlights the nature of the record, which is highly intimate, pulling the listener in for the finer details, while flowing along with the overall sound. 

Tracklist:
1. Tiu Dropar
2. Gwendolyn
3. Judy
4. Arguably
5. Atoms
6. Mére
7. Mengi
8. Chora